IGN Interview: 30 Rock's Tracy Morgan

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The comedic actor talks about his new Saturday Night Live inspired show, 30 Rock.

By Travis Fickett

Tracy Morgan is known best for a number of recurring characters on Saturday Night Live, including Brian Fellows and Astronaut Jones. When Tina Fey left SNL to create her own show, 30 Rock, she created a role for former castmate Morgan. That character, Tracy Jordan, is a riff on a number of famous comedians and the pilot includes a tip of the hat to one of Martin Lawrence's notorious claims to fame.

The show has recently undergone some retooling as Fey and producer Lorne Michaels made some adjustments to the cast, which includes Fey herself, Alec Baldwin, Rachel Dratch and the new addition of Jane Krakowski. What hasn't changed is Morgan's performance as the somewhat daft and highly unpredictable Jordan. We sat down with Morgan at the recent Television Critics Association event in Pasadena, California and talked with him about his character and what's in store for the future.

Morgan: Tina asked me to do it. It's right up my alley and it was tailor made for me.

IGN TV: Now you've said that this character is not supposed to be Martin Lawrence, but there are definite similarities.

Morgan: Look, Martin is my friend. We're not out there to burn Martin. This character was done in great spirits. It's the spirit of the thing that matters, and he knows that. I love him and I know when he sees it he's going to crack up. He's one of the funniest people in our generation and he's going to laugh.

(L-R) Tracy Morgan, Tina Fey and Alec Baldwin on 30 Rock

IGN TV: NBC has talked about doing some sketches of the "The Girlie Show" [30 Rock's fictional sketch show] online. If so, are you going to be a part of those?

Morgan: You know what, I don't know anything about that. That's a question for Lorne Michaels.

IGN TV: Besides Martin where are you drawing from for this character?

Morgan: Well, I know all kinds of people in this world and I'll use all of them. But I'm only bringing the energy, this is Tina's head here. She created the role and they're her words.